Folding rack for chafing dish

ABSTRACT

A folding chafing dish rack having a locking mechanism between the legs which prevents the inadvertent collapse of the rack when in use. The device is easily assembled and stable when in use and folds into a compact package which can be efficiently stored.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a folding chafing dish rack having a lockingmechanism between the legs which prevents the inadvertent collapse ofthe rack when in use. The device is easily assembled and stable when inuse and folds into a compact package which can be efficiently stored.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Traditional chafing dishes are typically comprised of a stand, waterpan, dish, and heat source. The stand holds the water pan over the heatsource which heats the water. A dish or dishes containing food are thensuspended in the water pan to keep the food warm.

Caterers use chafing dishes often, transporting the equipment todifferent locations, assembling the chafing dishes for use, and then,dismantling and storing the equipment for later use. And, while notconsidered standard household kitchen equipment, chafing dishes can findsubstantial use in the home for the occasional large party.Consequently, it is desirable to have a chafing dish which is easy toassemble and transport, and which can be stored in a minimum of space.

Space saving chafing dishes are known in the art. These prior artdevices, however, present certain problems, generally in terms ofsafety, but often in terms of convenience as well.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,903 to Kaufman discloses a portablechafing dish rack having a collapsible stand comprised of four rigidplates which are rotatably coupled together by flatly folding pianohinges. Upon removal of one hinge pin, the stand will collapse into acompact flat package which is easy to store. The pin, however, isseparate from the collapsed stand and is therefore subject to beingmisplaced or discarded. Moreover, the four-sided structure is not stablein and of itself but must be stabilized by the insertion of yet anotherpiece of equipment consisting of a rigid rectangular tray. The numerousseparate components of this device thus increase the difficulties ofassembly and storage and detract from its usefulness.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,697 to Hunziker discloses a foldable chafing rackhaving a top frame supported by legs which can pivot up into the topframe. Rings are cantilevered to the frame to hold the heat source suchthat they can be swung under or away from the frame. This device,however, has no stabilizing element for the legs and should one leg bepushed, the device will collapse or topple, possibly causing the spillof burning fuel, steaming water, or hot food.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,800 to Orednick discloses a food display systemcomprised of a plurality of bent wires and plastic legs which can beassembled on site. This device suffers from the same disadvantages asthe U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,903 to Kaufman, addressed above, in thatattention needs to be paid to keeping track of the multiplicity ofpieces.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,068 to Sherman, like U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,697,discloses a collapsible chafing dish stand having unsecured legs,implicating the same dangers due to an unintentional collapse of one orboth sides of the device.

These disadvantages are overcome by the present invention.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a one-piece chafing dish rack which is easy toassemble and particularly stable due to a locking mechanism whichprevents the movement of the legs which can cause a collapse of thedevice. The top portion is a frame suitably configured to hold one ormore chafing dish pans. Legs near or at the comers of the frame aremovably connected to the frame. A cross bar is movably connected to thelegs. The cross bar can be locked into place by the insertion of thefree end of the cross bar into a receiving bracket located either on oneleg or on a second cross bar piece. At least one cup holder to hold afuel canister is located on the cross bar.

The rack is assembled by unfolding the legs and the cross bar andlocking the end of the cross bar into the receiving bracket. By makingthis connection, the legs are forced into a tensioned, splayed position,which is particularly stable. The stability is enhanced by the downwardprojection of a portion of the locking mechanism which adds a “thirdleg” of support. Fuel canisters are inserted into the cup holders and atleast one chafing pan is fit into the frame, whereupon the apparatus isready for use.

After use, the rack is easily disassembled by removing the chafing panand fuel canisters. After disconnecting the end of the cross bar fromthe receiving bracket, the cross bar and the legs can be folded so thatthe entire device assumes a compact, more flattened configuration whichis easily stored and transported.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an assembled rack of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the partially dismantled rack;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the rack in the folded position,ready for storage;

FIG. 3 a is a front elevational view of the rack in the folded position;

FIG. 3 b is a top plan view of the rack in the folded position;

FIG. 4 is a partial front elevational view of the unconnected two-piececross bar;

FIG. 5 is a partial front elevational view of the two-piece cross pieceduring assembly;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the assembled rack;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of theassembled rack of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of thechafing dish rack 10 of the present invention. The rack includes a panholder 11 which is configured to receive two chafing dish pans (notshown) within its perimeter. Attached to the pan holder 11 at joints 12are two sets of legs, 21 and 22. Joints 12 may be two-part hinges wherethe first part is welded to the pan holder and the second part is weldedto the upright portion of the leg. Alternatively, other movableconnections may be used. Each set of legs is formed of two uprightpieces, 23 and 24, joined by transverse pieces, 25, 26, 27 and 28. Crossbar 31 is joined to the legs at joints 29. Joints may be two-part hingesor other movable connections. Cross bar 31 is comprised of two pieces,33 and 34. As can be seen in FIG. 4, piece 33 contains a prong 35 at itsfree end and a catch 36 spaced away from the free end. The free end ofpiece 34 has a hook 37 and a groove portion 38.

Cup holders 39 are positioned on pieces 33 and 34 of cross bar 31,suitably configured to hold fuel canisters, such as Sterno® cans, belowthe chafing dish pan.

To assemble the rack from the folded position shown in FIGS. 3, 3 a, and3 b, prong 35 is fit into groove portion 38 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.Pieces 33 and 34 are then moved into a substantially aligned positionwith each other and hook 37 is then snapped over catch 36 as shown inFIG. 6 and extends toward and contacts the supporting surface on whichthe rack is assembled. The assembled rack is shown in FIGS. 1 and 6.

To dismantle the rack, pieces 33 and 34 are tilted upward from the axisat joints 29, thereby releasing hook portion 37 from catch 36, as shownin FIG. 2. The free ends of pieces 33 and 34 are then guided up throughpan holder 11 and folded back so that they rest on the top of pan holder11. Legs 21 and 22 are thus pulled upward and rest beneath pan holder11. The folded rack is shown in FIGS. 3, 3 a, and 3 b.

A second embodiment of the rack 40 of the present invention is shown inFIG. 7. The rack includes a pan holder 41 which is configured to receiveone chafing dish pan (not shown) within its perimeter. Attached to thepan holder 41 at joints 42 are two legs formed of two upright pieces, 43and 44, joined by transverse pieces, 45, 46, 47 and 48. Cross bar 51 andshort bar 52 are joined to the legs at joints 59. The joints may behinges or other movable connections. As seen clearly in FIG. 8, shortbar 52 contains a prong 55 at its free end and a catch 56 spaced awayfrom the free end. The free end of cross bar 51 has a hook 57 and agroove portion 38.

Cup holder 59 is positioned on cross bar 51, suitably configured to holda fuel canister below the chafing dish pan.

To assemble the rack of this embodiment, prong 55 is fit into grooveportion 58. Cross bar 51 and short bar 52 are then moved into asubstantially aligned position with each other and hook 57 is thensnapped over catch 56. The assembled rack is shown in FIG. 7.

To dismantle the rack, cross bar 51 and short bar 52 are tilted upwardfrom the axis at joints 59, thereby releasing hook portion 57 from catch56. The free ends of cross bar 51 and short bar 52 are then guided uptoward pan holder 51. Cross bar 51 is folded back so that it rests onthe top of pan holder 41. Short bar 52 lies within leg pieces 43.

The rack may be formed from wire, preferably 6 gauge, but sheet metal,heat resistant plastic, wood, or other suitable materials orcombinations of materials may be used.

1. A rack comprising: a. a frame configured to hold at least one chafingdish pan; b. a first leg and a second leg movably connected to theframe; and c. a cross bar comprised of a first and second piece whereineach said piece has a fixed end and a free end, and wherein the fixedend of the first piece is movably connected to the first leg, and thefixed end of the second piece is movably connected to the second leg,and wherein the free end of the first piece is attachable to the freeend of the second piece.
 2. A rack according to claim 1 furthercomprising a prong on the free end of the first piece and a bracket onthe free end of the second piece, wherein the prong interlocks with thebracket.
 3. A rack according to claim 2 further comprising a fuelcanister holder located on at least one of the first or second pieces ofthe cross bar.
 4. A rack according to claim 3 wherein the frame isconfigured to hold two chafing dish pans.
 5. A rack according to claim 3wherein the frame is configured to hold one chafing dish pan.
 6. A rackaccording to claim 2 further comprising a first fuel canister located onthe first piece of the cross bar and a second fuel canister located onthe second piece of the cross bar.
 7. A rack according to claim 1wherein the first and second legs are attached to the frame by a hinge.8. A rack according to claim 7 wherein the first and second pieces ofthe cross bar are attached to the first and second legs by a hinge.
 9. Arack according to claim 2 wherein the bracket is comprised of a hookportion.
 10. A rack according to claim 9 wherein the hook portionextends below the cross bar.